WHO Rejects Trump’s Tylenol-Autism Link Claims Amidst Escalating Health Debate

The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly refuted claims made by the Trump administration regarding a link between acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the global health agency emphasized that extensive research over the past decade has found no consistent scientific association to support such a connection.

The controversy erupted earlier this week when Donald Trump, alongside senior health officials including Robert F Kennedy Jr, issued a public warning about acetaminophen, alleging its contribution to rising autism rates. The announcement also included plans for a new study examining potential links between childhood vaccines and autism, reigniting a long-debunked debate. Trump advised pregnant women to discuss limiting Tylenol use with their doctors.

The WHO stressed that while all medications should be used cautiously during pregnancy, particularly in early stages, previous studies raising alarms about acetaminophen have been deemed flawed and discredited. The organization further reaffirmed the scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism, highlighting that global immunization efforts guided by the agency have prevented at least 154 million deaths over the past five decades. They underscored that the vaccine schedule “remains essential for the health and wellbeing of every child and every community.”

Medical experts have swiftly condemned the Trump administration’s assertions. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a statement calling suggestions of acetaminophen-induced autism “not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible,” given the potential for harmful and confusing messages to pregnant patients.

The ongoing debate surrounding autism and neurodevelopmental conditions is expected to be a key topic at the UN high-level meeting on mental health and non-communicable diseases scheduled for Thursday. Autism affects an estimated 62 million people worldwide, with its precise origins attributed to a mix of genetic and environmental factors.

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